Hypersonic Technology

Innovating the Global Air Community

What is Hypersonic Weapons Technology?

Aircraft, spacecraft, rockets, and missiles that can reach nearly 4,000 miles per hour.

Hypersonic Categories

Hypersonic Glide Vehicles (HGV)

  • High Speed Launch
  • Transitions to Level
  • High Speed Atmospheric Flight

Hypersonic Cruise Missile

  • Powered by high-speed, air-breathing engines
  • Greater maneuverability compared to HGV's

Significance

Hypersonic weapons provide greater flexibility and survivability compared to ballistic missiles. Additionally, these weapon systems enhance deterrence and rapidly responds to threats.

Functionalities

  • Can travel about one mile per second
  • Level, aerodynamic atmospheric flight
  • More maneuverable than ballistic missiles
  • Can maneuver after launch and evade terrestrial-based radar detection through relatively lower flight altitudes
  • Travels at Mach 5 or higher (at least five times faster than the speed of sound)

Vulnerabilities

  • Weapon's short-time-flight
  • Potentially compresses the timeline for real-time response to operational changes
  • Unpredictable flight path
  • Heightens the risk of miscalculations
Hypersonic Flight Pattern



Hypersonic Flight Pattern